i sure hope not, deuce has been a spark to our offense and we need him, no offense to fenderson and keating but we need deuce

whodatsaintsfan26

11-22-2002 03:07 PM

DEUCE IS OUT?

I think if Duece is going to sit out this would be the best week. Let him heal up completely for the Tampa game. That is the biggest game of the season left on the schedule

pakowitz

11-22-2002 04:43 PM

DEUCE IS OUT?

gator, once again u have made excellant points, the line has been playing like crap for the last 3 weeks, we need our pro-bowlers and the rest of the line to step up and protect

whodatsaintsfan26

11-22-2002 04:52 PM

DEUCE IS OUT?

Duece says he is certain he will play this week. He says he feels good and is ready to go. Has says he is questionable and will be a game time decision. I expect to see Duece play on Sunday.

whodatsaintsfan26

11-22-2002 04:55 PM

DEUCE IS OUT?

from the times-picayune
Haslett cautious about McAllister

11/22/02

By Darrell Williams
Staff writer/The Times-Picayune

Deuce McAllister was optimistic Thursday about his chances of playing Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. Coach Jim Haslett was more cautious.

McAllister left last Sunday\'s game against Atlanta with a high ankle sprain. He worked out on a side practice field under trainer Scottie Patton for the second consecutive day Thursday. McAllister, who leads the NFC in rushing with 950 yards, said he was encouraged.

\"Right now, I plan on playing. It feels pretty good. Everyday I\'m able to do a little bit more,\" he said. \"Just to be able to perform, that\'s the ultimate goal. If I can\'t perform at 100 percent, then I\'m not going to go out there and jeopardize the team.\"

Running backs James Fenderson and Curtis Keaton took all the repetitions for the second consecutive day. Haslett had said Monday the two would split time if McAllister couldn\'t play.

\"Right now, we\'re going with the same plan,\" Haslett said. As for whether he thinks McAllister will be ready to play Sunday, Haslett said, \"He can\'t push off on it. I\'m not going to say either way.\"

McAllister said he could play despite missing this week\'s practices.

\"I\'ve been in the (offense\'s) meetings,\" he said. \"And I watched what they were doing (at practice).\"

Haslett said the practices aren\'t an issue. If McAllister is physically ready, he\'ll play.

daviddrake2

11-22-2002 05:45 PM

DEUCE IS OUT?

I hope Duece is ready this week because he helps every element of the offense, even on plays when he does not touch the ball.

I can\'t know either Fenderson or Keaton because I have not seen either guy touch the ball enough this season. Between them, they have a grand total of 31 yards gained. Fenderson has 5 carries for 26 yards and 1 reception for 5 yards, while Keaton has to rushing touches for 0 yards.

I understand that neither player has been put in a starring role yet and mayber they really can shine if given the start. Fenderson is only in his 2nd season in the NFL -- both with the SAINTS -- and Keaton is just in his 3rd -- the first 2 with the Bengals. But if they are in the NFL, they SHOULD be able to play with the big boys.

I am not expecting 100 yard games out of either (especially if they split playing time), but I hope they can be counted on to do what they are paid for: run the ball effectively without turning it over.

As for the value Duece adds, it is immesureable. Even if he is not 100% ready to carry the ball a lot on Sunday, and take the pounding that comes with the job, he may still be an extremely valuable tool if we use him as a decoy. He could line up occasionally in the backfield in eiother 1 or 2 back formations to take the pressure off of our recievers and/or the other back. His mere prescense alone will throw the defense off because they will have to account for the potential explosiveness he brings to the field.

In other words, every time Duece steps on the field, defenders will be assigned to cover him, whether he touches the ball or not. That means less defenders to stop the rest of our offensive weapons. So even if we don\'t use him to run the ball on Sunday, we still may be able to use him to our advantage by presenting a threat that just can\'t be ignored.

As always, this is just my opinion.

Go SAINTS!!!!!

David in Houston

billyh1026

11-23-2002 08:09 PM

DEUCE IS OUT?

I\'m a lifetime Ole Miss fan (be nice :) ) and I saw Duece get hurt every single year. He\'s a killer back when he\'s healthy...which is most of the year. This was bound to happen. It\'s a constant with Duece. Football is a tough sport and I\'m not sure why he\'s the one always getting hurt year after year but he does....seems to be his curse of sort. I\'d be VERY surprised to see him play Sunday.

p.s. go Rebs! I\'m watching the game as I type...kinda ugly so far and just 1/2 a 1/4 has gone by....